The/noun + number
Forum > English only || BottomMessage from johnnn posted on 08-04-2016 at 10:01:11 (D | E | F)
Hello everybody,
I would like to know if /whether I should use "the" in the following case: Before a noun followed by a number, should I use "the" or not?
For example, should I write:
"As shown in drawing 3" or "As shown in the drawing 3"?
"Plug wire 6" or "plug the wire 6"?
"Layer 3 of the embankment is connected to wall 7" or "The layer 3 of the embankment is connected to the wall 7"?
Thank you in advance!
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Edited by lucile83 on 08-04-2016 10:52
Re: The/noun + number from gerondif, posted on 08-04-2016 at 15:33:06 (D | E)
Hello,
The is a weakened form of this, meaning that you have to show which object you are talking about for it to be defined:
Go into the room, go into this room, not that room.
As soon as you add a number, you needn't define any more because there is only one room number six:
Go into room 6. Car number three is missing. arrival of flight American Airlines 356 at gate number three.
The same applies to:
The queen is here. / Queen Elizabeth is here.
The inspector is waiting for you. // Inspector Columbo is waitong for you.
The doctor is in / Doctor Quinn is in.
So:
"As shown in drawing 3"
"Plug wire 6"
"Layer 3 of the embankment is connected to wall 7"
You would use the with an ordinal adjective:
Plug the first wire to the third one! It is perfectly safe. BLAWAMM! Oups, Sorry!
Forum > English only